City of Hollywood News - It's Happening in Hollywood - June 23, 2022

TONIGHT: Training Exercise at FLL

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), in collaboration with a variety of airport stakeholders, will be conducting a full-scale active threat training exercise from 11PM on Thursday, June 23, 2022, through 3AM on Friday, June 24. The "Operation Nightingale" drill is scheduled to occur mainly inside Terminal 1's Concourse A and a portion of the Rental Car Center, but will also involve the staging of police, fire rescue, and medical transport vehicles in exterior areas of FLL, including along the terminal curbside, airfield, and perimeter roadways.  

During the FEMA-compliant mass-casualty exercise, there will be fictional but realistic scenarios with live "simunition" gunfire as law enforcement personnel engage with multiple assailants (actors). A cordoned-off area of Concourse A will be filled with volunteers acting in a range of roles at designated gates, passenger-waiting areas, and/or outside of airport shops and restaurants to create as realistic scenes as possible.

Operation Nightingale will be the third active assailant/active shooter training drill conducted by FLL in recent years. Two similar exercises with different scenarios took place in December 2019 and April 2018. 

This year's multifaceted and expanded training exercise will include the test activations of the airport's Emergency Operations Center, on-site (Terminal 4) and off-site Family Reception Centers (Dania Beach hotel), and 'victim' transports to hospitals in Broward County. The event will bring together over 500 volunteers and first responders to test emergency response capabilities and build resiliency/collaboration among airport partners.

Overall, the exercise aims to train and familiarize airport employees with FLL's emergency and readiness procedures in partnership with the Broward Sheriff's Office Law Enforcement and Fire Rescue Divisions. Other training partners include Broward County Emergency Management, the Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Customs & Border Protection, and JetBlue Airways. Representatives from area hospitals and local municipalities will also take part to test their communications, emergency response, and coordination capabilities.

Impact on Community/Travelers

The drill is not expected to impact travelers or motorists arriving at or departing from the airport given that the event is scheduled for after regular business operation hours. Additionally, no impacts on public roadways near the staging area are expected. Signage alerting the public to this planned after-hours training activity will be posted along key highways and roadways near FLL, the airport's entrance roadways as well as inside the terminals.

Kids Fun & Movie Friday

Friday, June 24th
Bring the kids to the ArtsPark at Young Circle in downtown Hollywood on Friday for some free summertime fun! The activities run from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., followed by the movie "Rya & the Last Dragon" at 8 p.m. Bounce houses, face painting and snacks!

As a reminder, this venue is plastic and foam-free. Single-use plastics and Styrofoam containers are prohibited at the ArtsPark, including plastic bottles and bags.

1000 Mermaids Artificial Reef Project in Hollywood - Visit the Displays Before They Are Deployed!

- Hollywood Beach Broadwalk at Johnson Street
- ArtsPark at Young Circle (Grove Area)
- City Hall Circle (East-side Memorial area)
- Driftwood Community Center

The City of Hollywood’s Community Redevelopment Agency has partnered with Ocean Rescue Alliance to create a 1000 Mermaids artificial reef project site off the coast of Hollywood Beach with 20 ocean-friendly artificial reef modules. The Hollywood site will bring the total number of these artificial reef structures in the ocean off South Florida's coast to over 100 since the project launched 5 years ago in Palm Beach County.

The 1000 Mermaids Project is a public eco-art project in the form of an artificial reef installation that also serves as an underwater eco-friendly destination for coral restoration, eco-tourism & research. The artificial reef sculptures, weighing between 2200-3300 lbs each, come outfitted with a patented "Coral Lok" system allowing corals to be out-planted directly to the reefs.

Of the structures being deployed along Hollywood Beach, 5 feature artistic sculptures such as mermaids, a swim-up selfie mermaid tail, and an industrial diver suit. The remaining 15, all built by Reef Cells in Boynton Beach, have biological bases

engineered to support fish habitat and provide coral restoration opportunities. The modules are made of limestone concrete & calcium carbonate that encourage corals and other sea creatures to attach to the structure with reef shapes that are strategically designed to provide a home to thousands of fish and invertebrates.

These artificial reef modules will deployed offshore in Hollywood for divers to enjoy this summer so catch an up-close look before they are gone. For more about Ocean Rescue Alliance and the 1000 Mermaids Artificial Reef Project go to www.oceanrescuealliance.org.

New Horizons is Now Available

New Horizons contains important information about what's going on in your City. The publication includes news from your Mayor and Commissioners, information on City programs, services and events, public safety updates and your Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Program Guide. This edition covers what's happening in Hollywood this Summer, including an update on General Obligation Bond projects, the semi-annual "Report Card" for FY2022, your Stormwater Utility Guide and more. Read New Horizons here.

Star-Spangled Spectacular 4th of July Celebration on Hollywood Beach

All are welcome to celebrate our nation’s birthday on Hollywood Beach on Monday, July 4th at the annual Star-Spangled Spectacular 4th of July Celebration. Sponsored by the City of Hollywood Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts and the Hollywood Community Redevelopment Agency-Beach District, this annual event will feature entertainment beginning at 5:00 p.m. and offshore fireworks display beginning at 9 p.m.

Event schedule at the Hollywood Beach Theater:

-5 p.m. to 9 p.m. DJ Entertainment

-7 p.m. Official Welcome

-9 p.m. Offshore fireworks display

Due to anticipated heavy traffic, the closure of the Sheridan Street Bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway, and no public shuttle service, access to the barrier island will be limited. The Hollywood Police Department will be monitoring parking and beach capacity in an effort to maintain a safe environment for all. Once capacity is reached, motorist will be directed to seek an alternative. Visit the event webpage for all traffic, parking and event details. 

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